Viet Nam's digital transformation puts people first

ABO/NDO- The central city of Da Nang has recently launched the “Digital Literacy for All” campaign, an important milestone in its digital transformation journey and a determined effort to realise a strategic policy that reflects the Party and State’s people-centred development philosophy.

For years, Da Nang has been a pioneer in building e-government, developing smart city infrastructure, and promoting the digital economy. However, as city leaders have candidly acknowledged, such progress is only truly meaningful when all citizens are included, empowered, and not left behind.

Today’s greatest challenge lies not simply in technological infrastructure or regulatory frameworks, but in the digital skills gap that leaves many people struggling to use online public services, hesitant to adopt digital payment tools, or unaware of how to access platforms for learning, healthcare, or remote work.

In this context, the bold rollout of the “Digital Literacy for All” campaign is a clear expression of a long-term, comprehensive vision: that digital transformation must begin with the people, every individual.

Quang Nam Province launches a programme to step up digital transformation in local administrative agencies. (Photo: Dinh Tang).

Encouragingly, this people-first approach is not unique to Da Nang. It is gaining traction across the country. From Ha Noi to Ho Chi Minh City, Thai Nguyen to Can Tho, localities are launching initiatives such as “Community Digital Technology Groups”, “Digital Streets”, and “Digital Residential Clusters”, as well as offering digital skills classes for farmers, women, and the elderly.

These seemingly modest initiatives are quietly fuelling a digital revolution in both urban neighbourhoods and rural villages. People are gradually forming habits such as scanning QR codes, booking medical appointments via mobile apps, and paying taxes online.

Each small action is a step forward. Every citizen who gains the confidence to use digital tools becomes a new beacon on Viet Nam’s digital transformation map.

Just as the national literacy campaign once helped Viet Nam eradicate illiteracy and empowered generations with knowledge to rebuild the country, today, the widespread adoption of digital skills is becoming a crucial indicator of social progress.

Basic skills for living and working in a digital world are increasingly reaching broader segments of society. Just as reading and writing once opened the door to opportunity, digital literacy now serves as a “new key” to ensure no one is left behind in an ever-evolving world.

“Digital Literacy for All” is more than just a programme, it is a call to action from the Party and the State. It requires the participation of government, support from the business community, the drive and innovation of the younger generation, and above all, the proactive spirit, resilience, and self-motivation of every citizen. In this movement, no one is a passive beneficiary, everyone is an active agent of change in the digital transformation journey.

Nationwide digital transformation must take root at the grassroots level, growing from what is familiar, practical, and beneficial to the people.

(Source: NDO)